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The Difference Between Coffee Beans and Ground Coffee Do Coffee Beans and Ground Coffee Stay Fresh for the Same Amount of Time

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, No one can argue that fresh coffee is the best coffee. The fresher the coffee beans, the more delicious the coffee becomes. Do you know how to keep coffee fresh? At FrontStreet Coffee, we provide the tips and techniques needed to store coffee from purchase to consumption. How to maintain whole coffee versus ground coffee, storing coffee beans

Nobody can argue that fresh coffee is the best coffee. The fresher the coffee beans, the more delicious the coffee will be. Do you know how to keep coffee fresh? At FrontStreet Coffee, we will provide tips and tricks needed to store coffee from purchase to consumption. How to keep whole coffee versus ground coffee, storing coffee beans in jars, how to keep brewed coffee fresh, and more.

How long can coffee beans be stored?

The best way to keep purchased coffee fresh longer is to buy whole coffee beans. Coffee beans stay fresh longer than ground coffee, so if you like grinding your own coffee beans, the coffee you drink will be fresher!

Coffee beans taste freshest within 30 days after roasting. However, if you can't buy fresh beans from a local roaster, that's okay. You can buy vacuum-sealed bags of coffee beans that maintain similar freshness for months after roasting.

If whole beans are kept in airtight or sealed containers, whole bean coffee can be stored in the pantry for 6 to 9 months. Once the beans are opened and exposed to air, they can be kept for up to 6 months. After these 6 months, coffee begins to deteriorate, which may lead to bitter or "stale" flavors after brewing.

How long does ground coffee stay fresh?

If whole coffee beans keep fresh longer than ground coffee, how long can ground coffee stay fresh in the pantry? Because ground coffee has a larger surface area than whole coffee beans, it expires faster. The smaller particles also leave more space for moisture to enter, which can promote mold and bacteria growth. Freshly ground coffee can only be kept for about 1-2 weeks. If properly stored in an airtight container, you can extend its shelf life to about a month. That's not much time, which is why we usually recommend buying whole coffee beans and grinding them at home.

How to Keep Coffee Fresh When Storing

How long coffee beans can be stored depends on how well they are protected from the "elements." The main reason coffee beans deteriorate is exposure to air. That's why most coffee bags and jars are vacuum-sealed—to keep coffee beans away from air. You also need to avoid high temperatures and humidity, which can cause bacteria to grow in containers. This means you want to store beans in opaque (non-transparent) airtight containers at room temperature.

Sealed Storage Containers

Glass, ceramic, and non-reactive metal containers are the best containers for coffee beans. You also want to look for sealing gaskets. If you're an avid coffee drinker, FrontStreet Coffee suggests investing in a sealed coffee canister. Push the lid down flush with the contents, which removes any excess air, so beans can have minimal contact with air or moisture. In these sealed containers, beans can be kept for over 9 months!

Storing Coffee Beans in Jars

Some people like to keep coffee beans in Mason jars, especially because they look cool, but some Mason jars aren't airtight enough. Additionally, many Mason jars are transparent, so your beans might be exposed to light—which makes beans expire faster. Therefore, we generally don't recommend storing coffee beans in Mason jars unless they are dark-colored. However, some Mason jars are airtight, especially if they have a metal clasp that holds them together.

Can you put coffee in the refrigerator or freezer?

There is some debate about "freezing" beans. You want to use coffee beans as close to the roasting date as possible. Therefore, it's generally recommended to buy small amounts of coffee more frequently rather than buying in bulk and throwing them in the freezer.

However, if you don't plan to use your coffee beans for a while, the freezer might be a good option. Freezing will help ensure coffee isn't affected by high temperatures or moisture in the air. However, freezing coffee beans will cause them to lose some flavor over time.

How to Store Ground Coffee?

Just like coffee beans, you want to store ground coffee in cool, dry, airtight conditions. Airtight containers can also be used for coffee grounds. If you plan to use your coffee grounds within a week or two, you can keep them in a coffee canister in the cool part of your pantry.

In general, we don't recommend storing coffee grounds in the freezer or refrigerator for extended periods. Because ground coffee absorbs moisture more easily, putting it in the refrigerator doesn't necessarily prevent it from deteriorating.